The objective of the STREAM Walk is to have the participants deeply observe all aspects of a stream. Using their senses and/or handbooks as guidance, kids will gather information about the stream and the surrounding riparian zone.

Participants will use simple tools to measure the flow of the stream. The kids will build an understanding of the movement of water and how human and riparian conditions can affect that.

Participants will be introduced to flies and basic fly tying techniques. Each participant will have a fly tying kit to use and try their hand at tying their very own fly they get to keep.

Participants learn about the stream ecosystem through a hands-on interactive game. Participants are either macroinvertebrates, trout, or predators and try to help keep the stream ecosystem in balance.

Participants will set out to discover the invertebrate life of a stream and to measure the abundance and diversity of this life as a sign of long-term water quality. The kids will go through a few different processes to collect macroinvertebrate samples. We will then observe, categorize, and learn how important these aquatic critters are to the stream ecosystem.

Participants will learn the basic mechanics of fly casting. The kids will learn about the different parts of a fly rod, including the fly reel and fly line. They will learn the difference between a regular spinning rod and a fly rod. Lastly, they will get a basic lesson about how and why a fly rod works.

During the STREAM Scavenger Hunt, kids will be introduced to the idea that healthy streams have many parts and they will identify the nine ingredients that make a healthy stream. Participants will then create a beaded craft that reflects the ingredients of a healthy stream using used fly line and beads.

Play a fun game and learn about our state fish the Greenback Cutthroat Trout. Learn about this incredible fish’s history, struggles, and fight to survive and reproduce in our Colorado watersheds.

Food chains are fun to learn about but have you ever acted one out? Participants get to learn the different parts of a stream food chain, act out, and watch it come to life before their eyes.

Macroinvertebrates are so important to the ecosystem. They are also unique and special and sometimes one-of-a-kind. Learn about macroinvertebrates and create your own incredible creature that you also get to take home.